Knicks Waive Beno Udrih and Metta World Peace

NEW YORK, February 24, 2014 – New York Knickerbockers President and General Manager Steve Mills announced today that the team has waived guard Beno Udrih and forward Metta World Peace.

“We are disappointed that it did not work out for Beno and Metta here in New York,” Mills said. “We thank them for their contributions this season and wish them well.”

Udrih, 6-3, 210-pounds, averaged 5.6 points and 3.5 assists over 19.0 minutes in 31 games (12 starts) for the Knicks this season after signing as a free agent on Aug. 8, 2013. The Slovenia native holds career averages of 8.9 points, 3.6 assists and 2.2 rebounds in 659 games (255 starts) over 10 seasons with San Antonio, Sacramento, Milwaukee, Orlando and New York.

World Peace, 6-7, 250-pounds, averaged 4.8 points and 2.0 rebounds over 13.4 minutes in 29 games (one start) for the Knicks this season after signing as a free agent on Jul. 16, 2013. The Long Island City native holds career averages of 13.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.81 steals in 931 games (833 starts) over 15 seasons with Chicago, Indiana, Sacramento, Houston, L.A. Lakers and New York.

I would pay at least twenty dollars for MWP to tweet: “I am similarly sorry that it’s not working out for Steve Mills here in New York.” Anybody else want to throw a bill or two in the hat?

Anyway, this is not particularly surprising and it is only interesting to the extent that it opens up a roster spot or two for any free agents/buy-out candidates/masochists that might want to spin the orange and blue roulette wheel. Personally, I’m happy about the swap; the two empty roster spots could not be reached for comment but are expected to provide a defensive upgrade over Udrih.